Rob Bounds

Modeshift Position: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Executive

Year joined the Modeshift Management Board: 2022

Place of work: Derbyshire County Council

Why I joined the Modeshift Board

I previously served on the Modeshift board from 2012 until 2021 as Midlands Regional Advisor. I was thrilled to receive the accolade as honorary member in 2021 for my contribution to sustainable travel and I continued to support Modeshift as an associate member for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

I was delighted to be reappointed to the Board in 2022 as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Executive to continue working with Modeshift, its members and partners to collaborate and share best practice on to help ensure sustainable travel is inclusive for everyone.

Career history

I joined Derbyshire County Council in 2001, initially as a road safety officer before moving into the school travel planning in 2004 as part of Travelling to School Initiative (TTSI)

Before that I previously worked in environmental education and as a teacher.

In my current role as Senior Transport Officer, my responsibilities include devising and promoting the Local Authority’s Travel Smart initiative to encourage sustainable travel to school through curriculum as well as delivering practical focussed activities, including the creation of campaign resources, the Scooter Smart programme and Modeshift STARS.

I am also co-chair of Derbyshire County Council’s LGBT+ employee Pride network.

Outside of Modeshift

There’s a great quote by Edward Abbey about being ‘a reluctant enthusiast and a half-hearted fanatic’ which I think sums me up! So I keep and breed birds – but I don’t show them, I love Stars Wars and have a collection of original figures but don’t yet own the full on stormtrooper outfit. I like cycling – but mostly for utility travel although I have dabbled in triathlon on a trail bike – or scaffolding on wheels as my friends call it.

Just like Abbey’s  ‘final paragraph of advice’ I’ve been lucky enough “get out there” and enjoy the wild places in the world from Africa, to South America and South East Asia to the Arctic circle.